Cutting block for clicking machines



Sept. 21, 1937. GORDQN 2,093,720

CUTTING BLOCK FOR CLICKING MACHINES Filed Aug. 13, 1936 aftmuou Patented Sept. 21, 1937 Ui'i STATE.

I 2,03,7Zt

FFECE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a, cutting block for clicking machines, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a block of this kind comprising duplicate sections adapted to be relatively adjusted one with respect to the other about axes substantially at right angles to the working face of the block whereby the emciency of the block may be materially prolonged.

A clicking machine is used principally for the cutting of leather and cloth in the manufacture of footwear and includes a cutting block firmly held to the table of the machine. Over the block is a swinging beam or striking hammer which is readily shiftable or adjustable to strike the cutting die at any position on the block. Most of the cutting, however, is done from the center of the block to within an inch or two of the edges. With the blocks now generally in use this action gradually wears down the central portion of the block leaving an unworn wall around the edge. This unworn wall causes considerable trouble because should the operator place the die too near the edge of the block one end portion of the die will be farther from the working face of the block than the other and the die will break when struck by the swinging beam or hammer. In some instances the die does not break but the extra pressure sticks the machine. Upon the machine sticking the power must be shut down stopping the machine as well as all other machines which may be on the line. Before the block can again be advantageously used it is necessary that the edge portions of the working face of the block be planed down to the same level as the central portion of the block. Such planing is necessary about every two Weeks and involves considerable expense.

It is an object of the invention to substantially eliminate these disadvantages by providing a block comprising two separate sections with means for maintaining the sections in desired assembly, each of said sections of the block at desired times, however, being capable of adjustment one with respect to the other in order to change the marginal portions of the block as a whole so that the wearing of the working surface of the block at all points thereon will be even, thus avoiding the necessity of planing with the further advantage of giving assurance that the block will offer no hindrance or interference to the desired cutting operations.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved cutting block for clicking machines. whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as, will be h reinafter more fully set forth.

The novel-features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a View in top plan of a cutting block constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation of the block as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a View in perspective of one of the sections of the block as herein disclosed unapplied.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, B denotes a cutting block in its entirety to be placed in a conventional manner upon the table or other desired portion of a clicking machine or the like in proper position with respect to the swinging beam or hammer of the machine. As herein disclosed, the block B comprises two duplicate sections l each of a square formation in plane and, of course, of required dimensions sothat when the sections l are in assembled relation the block 3 will present a working surface of required area.

As is clearly illustrated in Figure 1, it is to be noted that when the sections l are in assembled relation an edge face of one section is in direct 3 abutting contact with the edge face of a second section. These sections l of the block, however, are not permanently connected but are held in their assembly in a manner whereby each section may be adjusted or revolved about an axis substantially at right angles to its working face so that as desired different edge faces of a section may be brought into contact with a selected edge face of the second section.

In the present embodiment of the invention each edge face of the sections l is provided therealong at substantially its transverse center with a groove or channel 2 in which is snugly received a reinforcing plate 3. This plate 3 is preferably of metal and the extremities of adjacent plates are connected. The purpose of these plates is to reinforce the sections l which are generally made of wood to effectively withstand the rough usage to which they are subjected. The central portion of each plate 3 is provided with an opening 4, each of which registers with a pocket or recess 5 produced in the adjacent portion of the section I.

Contacting with the outer faces of the assembled sections I of the block is a holding or clamping member M, said member being of a width materially less than the width of the edge faces of the sections. As herein disclosed, this member M comprises two L-shaped sections, the stem 6 of each of which being of a length substantially coextensive with the length of the assembled sections I and with the foot 1 of each of said sections of a length substantially coextensive with the length of an edge face of the section I. The free end portion of the foot I of one of the sections of the member M is pivotally or hingedly connected, as at 8, to the outer or free end portion of the stem 8 of the second section of the member M. The free end portion of the foot I of the second section is formed to provide an outstanding rounding shoulder 9 with which engages a cam member It). This cam member ID is carried by a link I I which is hingedly connected, as at I2, with the outer or free end portion of the stem 6 of the first section of the member M. The cam member I carries an operating handle I4.

By adjusting the cam member I6 to the position illustrated in Figure 1, the sections of the member M will tightly engage the outer edge faces of the assembled sections I of the block B and effectively maintain them in such relation. However, upon swinging the handle I4 outwardly the member M may be readily released from the assembled sections I of the block B and which is of particular advantage when it is desired to readjust said sections I one with respect to the other. 7

The stems 6 of the sections of the member M are provided at required points therealong with the inwardly disposed pins I which engage through the openings 4 in the side edge faces of the assembled sections I to provide means to further assure the maintenance of the sections I in assembled relation and more particularly to have their top and bottom faces substantially coplanar.

In using a clicking machine the action of the cutting dies is at the central part of the block to Within an inch or two of the edges and obviously the continued action of the dies has a tendency to gradually wear down the working surface of a block leaving unworn marginal edges and which unworn marginal edges Within a reasonable time materially interfere with the effective use of the blocking machine. By the use of the block as herein disclosed and which comprises two sections, after use of the block for a predetermined time, say for one day, the sections I can be released and revolved or turned to bring different edge faces into contact and by bringing corresponding edge faces of the sections successively into such contact the wear upon the surface of the block at all points thereover will be even thus permitting the block to be used until it is worn down to substantially the plates 3 whereupon the sections can be reversed to allow the block to be used until the working face is worn down substantially to the plates 3.

To facilitate the use of the block as herein disclosed, the edge faces of the sections of the block may be differently identified with the identities of both blocks being similar. These identities may be the numerals I6 consecutively numbered from 1 to 4 or other symbols may be used. It is also to be understood that if desired the edge faces of each section I will be differently colored with both of the sections having the same colors. The advantage of providing positive means for identifying the edge faces of the sections of the block is to assure an operator properly adjusting the sections I at required times. In the assembly, edge faces of the sections I of the same identity are caused to have contacting relation and, of course, by successively bringing such edge faces into contact the desired maintenance of an even working surface of a block is assured.

From the foreging description it is thought to be obvious that a cutting block constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to: be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

A cutting block for a clicking machine or the like comprising duplicate sections, each of said sections being square, and means for detachably holding the sections in assembled relation, the edge faces of each section having differing identifying means, the identifying means of all sections being the same to assure similarly identified edge faces having contacting relation when the sections are assembled.

JOHN F. GORDON. 

